In-N-Out Burger, located in many towns in California
A great fast-food burger. You have a choice of burgers with or without cheese.. The service is remarkably friendly with enthusiastic teens who make this a pleasant experience. My son Doug and Gordon Ramsey both think this is a must-visit when in the state. 

Davis

Osteria Fasulo, 2657 Portage Bay East, Davis
530/758-1324
Outstanding Italian cuisine with a deep wine list of Italian and California choices. A bit pricy but the quality of everything, including the service, is also high.

Healdsburg

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Napa

Julia’s Kitchen at COPIA, 500 First St., Napa
707/265-5700
Julia C of interest in quality food in America and she is honored at the COPIA with this restaurant. As you would expect, the cuisine is California/French and it is terrific. The wine list and service are up to her standards. 

St. Helena

Silverado Brewing Co., 3020  St. Helena Hwy., St. Helena
707/967-9876
Located next to the Freemark Abbey Winery ,this is a great change of pace when out visiting wineries. Even I can get tired of wine and the chance to go to a brew pub should not be missed. The excellent food makes it a pleasure for non-beer drinkers, too. 

Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant (CIA), 2555 Main St., St. Helena
707/967-1010
Located in the historic Christian Brothers Winery, this is a student-run restaurant that achieves outstanding food with great attention to details. The wine list is quite large and offers a number of choices to match the menu items. With outstanding service, this is a must-stop. Be prepared to spend the price for this upscale meal. 

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San Francisco

Yountville

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Georgia

City Grill, 50 Hurt Plaza, Atlanta 
404/524–2489
Set in an old bank lobby, this is an elegant spot for proper service and creative cuisine. The wine list offers a wide variety of domestic and imported wines. 

The Abbey, 163 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta
404/878-8532
I’ve only been going here since the mid 70s, and I’ve even been at other locations in Atlanta. The setting in a former church adds a serenity to the evening. The food is continental and the service by the monk dressed wait staff is excellent. You can always find a wine that is just right for the occasion and something that you wished you tried more often.

New Jersey

Doris & Ed’s, 348 Shore Dr., Highlands
732/872–1565
Having gone to this restaurant for 30+ years, I know it well. Yet they always have new, interesting menu items. Sometimes when I just feel like reliving the old days at the shore I look at the old-time area of the menu which is still available just as it was in the 1960s and 70s. Many of the staff have been here for years and take pride in the service. They have one of the best wine lists in N.J.

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New York City

Barbetta, 321 W. 46^th St.
212/288-5555
Owned and managed by the same family for over 100 years, this northern Italian restaurant is located in 2 brownstone homes with patio dining in good weather. A New York classic which I’ve been going to since 1966.

Carmines, 2450 Broadway
212/362–2280 and
200 W. 44^th St.
212/221–3800
Large portions of southern Italian food at its best. Order a plate for the table and share. 

Carnegie Deli, 854 7^th Ave.
212/757–2245
The best pastrami in the city with sandwiches that are large and great. Try the cheese cake. If Woody Allen’s “Broadway Danny Rose” was shot at this place, it’s got to be good. 

Giambelli, 48 E. 50^th St.
212/688–2760
Another great northern Italian restaurant. I worked in the building next door for several years and have eaten here often. 

Gotham Bar & Grill, 12 E. 12^th St. 
212/620–4020
One of New York’s best restaurants, serving a variety of foods. The selections are all expertly prepared and the service is outstanding. 

Home Restaurant, 20 Cornelis St. (Greenwich Village)
212/243-9579
Great weekend brunch. The owners have a winery on long Island, but I didn’t look at the wine list at brunch.

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Keen’s Chop House, 72 W. 36^th St.
212/947-3636
Right out of a Dickens’s book, this old English chop house is over 100 years old and a classic. The biggest mutton chop you will ever see.

Oyster Bar, Grand Central Station 
212/490–6650
It has been here forever and is noisy and hectic, but the variety of seafood can’t be matched anywhere in N.Y.--all fresh. The wine list is very deep and the prices moderate. 

The Palm, 837 2^nd Ave. 
212/687–2953
So popular they opened another restaurant across the street called Palm 2. The steaks are some of the best in New York and the service is very New York. 

P. J. Clark’s, 915 3^rd Ave. 
212/759–1650
This is a classic New York saloon that’s been here for over 100 years. The hamburgers are not as good as they used to be, but what the heck.

San Domenico, 240 W. 57^th St. 
212/221–8444
As classy as it gets, I once sat next to Metropolitan Opera conductor Jimmy Levine during dinner. Great northern Italian cuisine, especially the ravioli and risotto. 

Sardi’s, 234 44^th St. 
212-221-8440
I ducked this restaurant for 30+ years, but once I went, it became one of my favorites. It is mostly Italian food and, yes, you may well see celebrities. 

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Smith & Wollensky, 201 E. 49^th St. 
212/753–1530
I once worked across the street and ate here often. Great steaks and large steak house portions. One of NY’s best wine lists, with many older vintages.

North Carolina
(excluding Forsyth County)

Chapel Hill

Carolina Crossroads, The Carolina Inn
919/918-2777
A Chapel Hill institution which has maintained a modern southern-styled cuisine and atmosphere. If you go during major University events, make reservations early. 

Il Palio, The Siena Hotel
800/223-7379
Italian cuisine at the highest level with a full Italian wine list to fully complement the experience. Great service. 

The Weathervane, Eastgate Mall
919/929-9466
Very pleasant dining room that is a part of Southern Season, one of the best wine and gourmet shops in N.C. 

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Charlotte

Sonoma Kitchen, 100 North Tryon St.
704/332-1132
Located in Founders Hall in the Bank of America complex, this is where we dine before the opera performances--the theatre is only 2 minutes away. Inventive, modern cuisine which is well served. The wine list on one of the best in uptown Charlotte.

Dobson

Duck

Grassey Creek

Greensboro

Revival Grill, Quaker Village Shopping Center, 604 Milner Dr.
336/297-0950
After about 15 years in business, this restaurant just continues to get better. The wait staff is thoroughly professional and the food offerings are varied and always well prepared. Ask for the reserve wine list.

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Hendersonville

High Point

Nags Head

Raleigh 

Bloomsbury Bistro, 101 W. Whitaker Mill Road
919/834-9011
Not really a bistro, but more upscale. The selections are varied and delicious. An interesting wine list. This is at the 5 points at Glenwood Ave. so you don’t get involved with the downtown. 

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Southern Pines

Wilmington 

The Pilot House, 2 Ann St.
910/343-0200
I’ve been going here as long as I’ve lived in N.C. Sitting river side and looking at the battleship across the river is pleasant enough, but the food offerings are consistently good and the wine list is equal to the menu. 

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South Carolina

Red Fish, 8 Archer Road, Hilton Head 
843/686–3388
Outstanding seafood, but you come here for the wine list which is very complete. But if that isn’t enough, just walk into their wine shop and pick your wine off the shelf for a $20. corkage fee.

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Washington, DC

Café Atlantico, 405 Eighth St. N.W.
202/393-0812
One of the most exciting restaurants in America today! All South American cuisine and wines make this different and challenging. Try the weekend 30-course tapas brunch. If you are lucky and call 30 days ahead you might get a seat at the 6-seat minibar; I’m told it is something special. 

Clyde’s, 3236 M St.
202/333-5180
There are several locations for Clyde’s but this 100-year-old tavern has atmosphere. The burgers are great, and they even have outstanding pastrami. 

Kinkead’s, 2000 Pennsylvania Ave.
202/296-7700
Considered the best seafood restaurant in the district; I agree. The wine list is fabulous – if you want to see your members of Congress, this might be the place. 

Les Halles, 1201 Pennsylvania Ave.
202/347-6848
A French country bistro with a wide choice of foods and wines.  

Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15^th St. N.W. 
202/347-6848
Loaded with tradition and very large, but the service is consistent and very good. American cuisine and seafood bar. 

The Prime Rib, 2020 K St. N.W. 
202/466-8811
The best prime rib I’ve ever had and I’ve been here at least 10 times. Service is outstanding and there is a short but very interesting wine list. 

Sam & Harry’s, 1200 19^th St. 
202/296-4333
My favorite steakhouse in D.C. This is a classy place with good service. The wine list is deep and adventurous with wines by the glass that most restaurants don’t even have by the bottle. 

Taberna del Alabardero, 1776 I St. N.W. 
202/429-2200
The sister restaurant to one in Madrid; this is Spanish food at a very high level. For those who have never experienced real Spanish food this is it! As a plus, the glassware is all Riedel and the Tempranillo is served in their Tempranillo glass. 

Tosca, 1112 F St. NW
202/367-1990
WOW! One of the best dining experiences I’ve had in quite a while. The dining room is elegant, the service is just right, the menu is short but very interesting and the wine list has outstanding choices. It may be a bit pricey, but well worth a first and second visit. (3/08)

Zaytinya, 701 Ninth St. NW
202/638-0800
Another Jose Andres creation (also see Café Atlantico review.) This starkly modern restaurant features Middle-Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine with wines from only Greece, Lebanon and Israel. But don’t be afraid to visit because the food is outstanding. Their weekend lunch/brunch offers about 70 different tapas with many sound choices and some that proved to be adventurous and really good. (3/08)

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